Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

OPINION

A suspicious column

Ventura County Star
Published 5:17 p.m. PT Dec. 17, 2018

CLOSE

19. Aging nuclear power plants The United States has a total of 60 commercially operating nuclear power plants with 98 nuclear reactors. As these plants age, the chances of malfunctions and potentially lethal accidents increase. According to a report by Stanford University, due to the limited lifespan of nuclear reactors -- because of decades of working under high pressure, temperature, and radiation -- a period of nuclear insecurity may be around the corner. Replacing old nuclear reactors will cost billions of dollars, which probably means alternative sources of energy will have to be further explored.(Photo: vlastas / Getty Images)

I agree with Jay Ambrose that we should be reasonable about climate change, but I became suspicious when he referred to the 60-member National Climate Assessment committee, the 300 scientists enlisted for research, and the 18 federal agencies reviewing their findings as "a lot of bureaucrats playing with a lot of words."

He seems eager to accept the "counter-assessment" from the Wall Street Journal, known for its brilliant climate scientists (sarcasm), that modest growth can easily compensate for the economic upheaval resulting from climate change. For good measure he reminds us that the real danger is government intervention, since apparently our great country is no longer capable of doing great things.

After some unsupported statements about how renewables are nowhere near ready, he makes his point: We need nuclear power.

He provides a list of advocates for nuclear power, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, but in reality the UCS does not advocate for expansion of nuclear power. It advocates for making sure existing nuclear plants are safe and doesn't want them replaced with natural gas.

Here are the UCS recommendations:

We need carbon pricing. A robust, economy-wide cap or price on carbon emissions would help provide a level playing field for all low-carbon technologies.

We need a low-carbon electricity standard. A well-designed standard could prevent the early closure of nuclear power plants while supporting the growth of other low-carbon technologies.

Financial support for nuclear plants should be conditioned on consumer protection, safety requirements, and investments in renewables and energy efficiency. Policymakers considering temporary financial support to avoid the early closure of nuclear plants should couple that support with strong clean-energy policies, efforts to limit rate increases to consumers, and rigorous safety, security and performance requirements.

Matty Park, Ventura

Read or Share this story: https://www.vcstar.com/story/opinion/readers/2018/12/17/suspicious-column/2344402002/